Vehicle chair



Oct. 23, 1951 c HQVEN ETAL 2,572,482

VEHICLE CHAIR Filed May 1, 1948 2 SHEETS-SHEET 1 Aliza-ed C. Haven 9* fillavd HBonzLJi:

Oct. 23, 1951 A. cfHovEN ET AL 2,

' VEHICLE CHAIR Filed May 1, 1948 2 SHEETS-SHEET 2 Alfred C-HOI)6 IZ W" fi'llard" Bond, .19.

Patented Oct. 23, 1951 VEHICLE CHAIR Alfred C. Hoven and Willard H. Bond, Jr., Grand Rapids, Mich., assignors to American Seating Company, Grand Rapids, Mich., a corporation of New Jersey Application May 1, 1948, Serial No. 24,488

8 Claims.

The present invention relates to chairs and more particularly to chairs of the type installed in passenger vehicles, and especially adaptable for installation in motorbusses of the intra-city transit type.

The primary objects of the invention are to provide a vehicle chair in which the seat and back are formed of molded plastic; to provide a chair frame fabricated of metal tubing, on which the molded plastic seat and back may be quickly assembled; and in general to provide such a vehiole chair which is comfortable for the occupant, free from squeaks and rattles, attractive in appearance, and reasonably economical in manufacture.

One embodiment of the invention is illustrated by the accompanying drawings, wherein:

Figure 1 is a front elevational view of a chair especially adapted for installation in a motor bus of the intracity transit type;

Figure 2 is a fragmentary, horizontal sectional view of the same, taken on line 2--2 of Figure 1;

Figure 3 is an enlarged, vertical sectional View of the same, taken on line 3-3 of Figure 1;

Figure 4 is a greatly enlarged fragmentary vertical sectional View of certain parts of the chair, taken on line 4-4 of Figure 2;' and Figure 5 is a similarly enlarged fragmentary vertical sectional View of certain other parts of the chair, taken on line 55 of Figure 2.

Referring now in detail to those drawings, wherein like parts are designated by the same numerals in the several views, the chair there shown in mounted on a chair support which comprises spaced upstanding pedestals IB having horizontal bottom flanges II adapted to be secured to the floor of a motorbus as by means of bolts I2. The upper end of each pedestal ID slopes rearwardly-downwardly and is provided with inwardly extending lugs I3 the purpose of which is made apparent hereinafter.

The chair frame is preferably fabricated from a continuous length of metal tubing which is bent to form a substantially horizontal front rail I4, side rails I5 extending rearwardly from the opposite ends of said front rail and thence angularly upwardly, and a top rail IS commonly known as a grab rail connecting the upper ends of the upstanding portions of the side rails I5. The front rail I4 of the frame constitutes a seat supporting bar for the forward edge of the chair seat. A back supporting rail or bar I! is provided for supporting the upper edge of the chair back, said bar I! comprising a straight length of metal tubing having its opposite ends secured as by welding to the side rails I5 of the frame slightly below the grab rail I6 and generally parallel thereto. An intermediate supporting bar or rail I8 of channel bar formation extends transversely of the frame rearwardly of the bar I4 and below the bar I'!, said channel bar I8 having its opposite ends secured as. by welding to the side rails I5 of the frame at the angles formed between the rearwardly and the upwardly extending portions of said side rails I5, and the channel of said channel bar I8 opening in an upwardly and forwardly direction.

Spaced channel bars I9 extend forwardly-rearwardly of the frame between the front rail I4 and the intermediate rail I8, and these channel bars I9 have their opposite ends in abutment with and secured as by welding to the rails I4 and I8 thus completing the chair frame. The chair frame is mounted on the chair support or pedestals I0 by means of bolts 20 passing through aligned apertures in the channel bars I9 and the lugs I3 of pedestals Ill and provided with nuts 2I on the lower ends thereof. It will be seen that the chair frame thus provides a substantially horizontal seat supporting portion and a substantially vertical back supporting portion.

The chair seat 22 and the chair back 23 are preferably separately formed of rigid molded plastic and are shaped to conform generally to the body forms of two chair occupants, the chair shown being of the two-passenger variety. The

' chair seat 22 has its forward edge 24 curled downwardly to engage the seat supporting rail or bar I I4, and may be secured to said bar I4 as by means of screws 25 extending upwardly through apertures 26 in the bar I4 and threaded in lugs 27 which are molded in the seat 22 and which rest on the chair frame. Additional lugs 28 similar in form to the lugs 2'! may be provided at the sides of the seats underside for supporting the seat proper spacedly above the side rails I5 of the chair frame. The rearward edge of the chair seat 22 is provided with a rearwardly-downwardly extending flange 29 seated in the forward part of the channel in the transverse channel bar It.

The molded plastic chair back 23 has its upper edge 30 curled rearwardly to engage the back supporting bar I1, and the opposite sides of the back 23 are provided with rearwardly extending fins 3I which rest against the upwardly extending portions of the side rails l5 of the frame. The lower edge of the chair back 23 has a rearwardly-downwardly extending flange 32 seated in the rearward part of the channel in the transverse channel bar I8.

Fastening means comprising bolts 33 are passed through aligned apertures in the side walls of the channel bar l8 and in the flanges 29 and 32 of the chair seat and chair back respectively, and nuts 34 are provided for the threaded lower ends of the bolts 33.

I In assembling'the seat 22 and back .23 to the chair frame, the backs flange 32 is seated in the channel bar l8 and the backs curled upper edge 30 is simultaneously hooked over the back supporting bar I! of the frame. The seats flange 29 is next seated in the channel bar l8 and the seats curled forward edge 24 is simultaneously made to engage the seat supporting bar [4 of the frame. The chair is thus assembled, and the flanges 2'9 and 32 fill the channel in the channel bar 18 so that each opposes removal of the other. screws 25 are then set in place thus preventing accidental or unauthorized removal of either the seat 22 or the back 23 from the structure. The parts are additionally secured in assembly by placement of the bolts 33 and nuts 34, which-bolts and nuts also effectively prevent any rattles -.or squeaks which might otherwise occur by reason of slight relative movements of the parts. When so assembled the chair seat and chair back provide a smooth continuous curved surface generally conforming to the seat and back contour of the seated human body, as best illustrated in Figure 3.

It will thus be seen that a vehicle chair has-been provided which is quiet in use, convenient in assembly, reasonably economical in manufacture and comfortable for the occupants thereof, and while but one specific embodiment of the invention has been herein shown and described it will be understood that the construction shown may be modified without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the following claims.

We claim:

1. In a chair structure of the class described: a chair support; a chair frame mounted on the chair .support and comprising a substantially horizontal seat supporting bar, a substantially horizontal back supporting bar spaced rearwardly from and above said seat supporting bar, and a substantially horizontal intermediate supporting bar spaced rearwardly from said seat supporting bar and below said back supporting bar, said .intermediate bar being of upwardly-forwardly opening channel formation; .a chair seat having its forward edge mounted on the seat supporting bar and having its rearward edge provided with a rearwardly-downwardly extending flange seated in the forward part of the channel in the intermediate bar; and a chair back having its upper edge mounted on the back supporting bar and having its lower edge provided with a rearwardlydownwardly extending flange seated in the rearward part of the channel in the intermediate bar; said chair seat and said chair back each comprising a unitary sheet of rigid material so formed that when secured together the seat and back provide a smooth continuous curved surface generally conforming to the seat and back contour of I the seated human body.

2. In a chair structure of the class described: a chair support; a chair frame mounted on the chair support and comprising a substantially horizontal seat supporting bar, a substantially horizontal back supporting bar spaced rearwardly 'from and above said seat supporting bar, and .a substantially horizontal intermediate supporting bar spaced rearwardly from said seat supporting The.

bar and below said back supporting bar, said intermediate bar being of upwardly-forwardly opening channel formation; a chair seat having its forward edge mounted on the seat supporting bar and having its rearward edge provided with a rearwardly-downwardly extending flange seated in the forward part of the channel in the intermediate bar; a chair back having its upper edge mounted on the back supporting bar and having its lower edge provided with a rearwardly-downwardly extending flange seated in the rearward part of the channel in the intermediate bar; and fastening means passing through the side walls of the channelled intermediate bar and through the seat and back flanges seated within said channel; said chair seat and said chair back each comprising a unitary sheet of rigid material so formed that when secured together the seat and back provide a smooth continuous curved surface generally conforming to the seat and back contour of the seated human body.

3. .In a chair structure of the class described: a chair support; a chair frame mounted on the chair support and having a substantially horizontal seat supporting portion and asubstantially vertical back supporting portion; a substantially horizontal channel bar secured to the frame transversely thereof at the junction of the frames seat supporting and back supporting portions, and with the channel thereof opening in an upwardlyforwardly direction; a chair seat having its forward part supported by the seat supporting portion of the frame and having its rearward edge provided with ,a flange seated in the forward part of the channel in said channel bar; and a chair back having its upper part supported by the back supporting portion of the frame and having its lower edge provided with a flange seated in the rearward part of the channel in said channel bar; said chair seat andsaid chair back each comprising a unitary sheet of rigid material so formed that when secured together the seat and back provide a smooth continuous curved surface generally conforming to the seat and back contour of the seated human body.

4. In a chair structure of the class described: a chair support; a chair frame mounted on the chair support and having a substantially horizontal seat supporting portion and a substantially vertical back supporting portion; a substantially horizontal channel bar secured to the frame transversely thereof at the junction of the frames seat supporting and back supporting portions, and with the channel thereof opening in an upwardly-forwardly direction; a chair seat having its forward part supported by the seat supporting portion of the frame and having its rearward edge provided with a flange seated in the forward part of the channel in said channel bar; and a chair back having its upper part supported by the back supporting portion of the frame and having its lower edge provided with a flange seated in the rearward part of the channel in said channel bar, said seat and back flanges substantially filling'the channel in said channel bar so that each opposes removal of the other; said chair seat and said chair back each comprising a unitary sheet of rigid material so formed that when secured together the seat and back provide a smooth continuous curved surface generally conforming to ghg seat and back contour of the seated human 5. In a chair structure of the class described: a chair support; a chair frame mounted on the chair support and having a substantially horizontal seat supporting portion and a substantially vertical back supporting portion; a substantially horizontal channel bar secured to the frame transversely thereof at the junction of the frames seat supporting and back supporting portions, and with the channel thereof opening in an upwardlyforwardly direction; a chair seat having its forward part supported by the seat supporting portion of the frame and. having its rearward edge provided with a flange seated in the forward part of the channel in said channel bar; a chair back having its upper part supported by the back supporting portion of the frame and having its lower edge provided with a flange seated in the rearward part of the channel in said channel bar, said seat and back flanges substantially filling the channel in said channel bar so that each opposes removal of the other; and additional fastening means passing through the side walls of the channel bar and through the seat and back flanges seated within said channel; said chair seat and said chair back each comprising a unitary sheet of rigid material so formed that when secured to ether the seat and back provide a smooth continuous curved surface generally conforming to the seat and back contour of the seated human body.

6. In a chair structure of the class described: a chair support; a chair frame mounted on the chair support and comprising a continuous len th of metal tubing bent to form a front rail, side rails extending rearwardly from the opposite ends of said front rail and thence angularly upwardly, and a top rail connecting the upper ends of the upstanding portions of said side rails: a substantially horizontal back supporting rail having its opposite ends secured to the side rails of the frame near the top rail: a channel bar having its opposite ends connected to said side rails at the angles fo med between the rearwardlv and the upwardly extending portions thereof, said channel bar having the channel therein opening in an upwardly direction; a chair seat having its forward edge secured to the front rail of the frame and having it rearward edge provided with a downwardly extending flange seated in the forward part of the channel in said channel bar: and a chair back having its upper edge secured to said back supporting rail and having its lower edge provided with a downwardly extending flange seated in the rearward part of the channel in said channel bar; said chair seat and said chair back each comprising a unitary sheet of rigid material so formed that when secured to ether the seat and back provide a smooth continuous curved surface generally conforming to the seat and back contour of the seated human body.

7. In a chair structure of the class described: a chair support; a chair frame mounted on the chair support and comprising a continuous length of metal tubing bent to form a front rail, side rails extending rearwardly from the opposite ends of said front rail and thence angularly upwardly, and a top rail connecting the upper ends of the upstanding portions of said side rails; a substantially horizontal back supporting rail having its opposite ends secured to the side rails of the frame near the top rail; a channel bar having its opposite ends connected to said side rails at the angles formed between the rearwardly and the upwardly extending portions thereof, said channel bar having the channel therein opening in an upwardly direction; a chair seat having its forward edge secured to the front rail of the frame and having its rearward edge provided with a downwardly extending flange seated in the forward part of the channel in said channel bar; a chair back having its upper edge secured to said back supporting rail and. having its lower edge provided with a downwardly extending flange seated in the rearward part of the channel in said channel bar; and fastening means passing through the side walls of the channel bar and through the seat and back flanges seated within said channel; said chair seat and said chair back each comprising a unitary sheet of rigid material so formed that when secured together the seat and back provide a smooth continuous curved surface generally conforming to the seat and back contour of the seated human body.

8. In a chair structure of the class described: a chair support; a chair frame mounted on the chair support and comprising a substantially horizontal seat supporting bar, a substantially horizontal back supporting bar spaced rearwardly from and above said seat supporting bar. and a substantially horizontal intermediate supporting bar spaced rearwardly from said seat supporting bar and below said back supporting bar, said intermediate bar being of upwardly-forwardly opening channel formation: a plastic chair seat molded to form a downwardly curled forward edge engaging theseat supporting bar and a rearwardly-downwardly extending flange on its rearward edge seated in the forward part of the channel in the intermediate bar: and a plastic chair back molded to form a rearwardly curled upper edge engaging the back supporting bar and a rearwardly-downwardly extending flange on its lower edge seated in the rearward part of the channel in the intermediate bar: said chair seat and said chair back being so formed that when secured together they provide a smooth continuous curved surface generally conforming to the seat and back contour of the seated human body.

ALFRED C. HOVEN. WILLARD H. BOND, JR.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 793,863 Vogel July 4, 1905 2,064,137 Zerbee Dec. 15, 1936 2,126,439 Zerbee Aug. 8, 1938 2,278,049 Zerbee Mar. 31, 1942 2,292,831 Gilkison Aug. 11, 1942 2,317,515 Booth Apr. 27, 1943 2,324,318 Niedringhaus July 13, 1943 2,332,619 Walker Oct. 26, 1943 2,450,093 Richardson Sept. 28, 1948 2,464,995 Roth Mar. 22, 1949 2,494,647 Dewey Jan. 17, 1950 FOREIGN PATENTS Number Country Date 382,811 Great Britain Nov. 3, 1932 

